Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G13/00—Installations of lightning conductors; Fastening thereof to supporting structure
  • H02G13/60—Detecting; Measuring; Sensing; Testing; Simulating
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
  • G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
  • G01R31/282—Testing of electronic circuits specially adapted for particular applications not provided for elsewhere
  • G01R31/2827—Testing of electronic protection circuits

Definitions

• the present invention corresponds to the technical field of lightning rods with priming device (PDC), such as lightning rods with passive electronic or electric priming circuit, active electronic or electric, piezoelectric, lightning rod with special profile and in general, any lightning rod based in the principle of operation of the electro atmospheric condenser (one or more conductive parts isolated from the ground potential).
• PDC priming device
• the lightning rod with priming device is a type of lightning rod whose purpose, as in the rest of the lightning rod, is to attract the beam to itself to drive its electrical discharge to the ground, preventing it from causing damage in the area under your protection
• this type of lightning rod with priming device emits an ascending discharge that captures the beam before it impacts with any other structure and, captures it at a greater distance than a conventional lightning rod, so that the radius of Lightning rod action.
• the invention in the case of the first document FR2848351, relates to a lightning rod with active electronic priming circuit that has a test means for the development of a signal indicating the operating status of the circuit from the values measured by a circuit conditioning connected to it. It also has means for transmitting and receiving the signal and signaling means.
• broadcasting means emit a radio signal in a defined frequency band and both they and the receiving ones are in an independent remote control box.
• High voltage is used and the test is performed from time to time with a certain interval, only while the priming device is in a state of rest, which occurs after a period of time has elapsed since the electrical activity of the storm ends.
• the invention relates to a method for evaluating the electrical parameters of the lightning protection system, in which at least one inspection cable electrically connected to the control unit. Reception is additionally mounted on the head of the lightning rod, equipped with grounding.
• the lightning rod test device is activated by applying low voltage between the inspection cable and the grounding conductor or between the control cables only to control the electrical energy stored in the capacitor assembly.
• the information obtained from the electrical parameters is transmitted by the conductors to the receiving unit that can be mounted directly on the head of the lightning conductor or at a certain distance from it, electrically coupled to its grounding conductor and by means of the inspection cable.
• the receiving unit is connected to a set of capacitors that store electrical energy and are connected in turn with a device electromechanical.
• the energy storage means are formed by a conventional battery, which will limit the charge / discharge cycles, reducing their useful life and entails an additional waste treatment.
• test is carried out on a lightning rod with an electronic priming circuit only active, resulting not applicable to other types of lightning rod with a lightning device. priming.
• the proposed analysis system does not present the option to distinguish between the different states of the lightning rod.
• the result offered is that of a correct lightning rod or that there is an error, but without determining what the reason is of the error, whereby the operator or user must move to the lightning rod, disassemble it and perform a series of checks to detect what the error is due to and carry out the relevant repair operations.
• none of the devices presented in both documents contain protection elements against overvoltages in the voltage or current inputs, which are exposed to potential differences of potential that can become very high and therefore dangerous . Description of the invention
• the testing device for lightning rod with priming device presented here comprises on the one hand a transmitter unit configured to be installed in a lightning rod with power supply and energy storage means, a circuit measuring the frequency response of the priming device of the lightning rod, a control and processing element to activate the measurement and process the resulting frequency response, an A / D converter of the analog signal obtained from the test performed to the priming device before processing, a modulator circuit that receives the signal , and a transmitter antenna of the data obtained by the meter circuit already modulated.
• the control and processing element of the sending unit is programmed to activate the test of the priming device that performs the test module, each time interval t1 configurable. Likewise, it is responsible for maintaining the sending unit in a state of rest during configurable time intervals t2, being t2 less than t1 and, activating the sending of the result of each test that is carried out every time t1, as well as repeated sending of the last test performed, every time t2. These times t1 and t2 are configurable either by software or by a timing of the elements.
• the feeding means of the emitting unit may be based on renewable power sources such as a solar panel or the like and the storage means preferably do not have a limitation of the loading / unloading cycles and do not require a waste treatment, if You can use conventional power media like any type of battery, introducing the above limitations.
• This testing device for lightning rod with priming device presented here performs a frequency test. This is that the control and processing element generates a set of pulses of a configurable value time that attacks the lightning rod priming device.
• This priming device provides a voltage and frequency response that is related to the configuration and the state of the lightning rod.
• the test apparatus has a wireless receiver unit, means for identifying the different states of the lightning rod, an internal memory that allows the data of the successive tests to be stored and an external connector to it for data extraction. to a device for processing them.
• the means for identifying the different states of the lightning rod of this receiving unit can be formed by light pilots, preferably LED type, although any form of visualization of the result is optimal.
• this receiving unit comprises an ignition switch, power supply and storage means, a control and processing element, a DC / DC converter that reduces the voltage of the storage means connected to the control and processed element, a circuit of disconnection or self-disconnection of the power system, an integrated antenna for the reception of the data, an element of demodulation of the same and a screen of visualization of the results.
• This receiving unit allows to visualize the data of previous tests that are stored in the internal memory of the same and includes a button for the activation of this function.
• the transmitting unit can comprise protection elements against overvoltages in each connection that can be affected by an overvoltage.
• This device complies with UNE21 186: 201 1 in all its points.
• Said lightning rod installation is such that the emitting unit of the apparatus is suitable for placement in the lightning rod, where the housing of the same can have any configuration, either trunk-pyramidal, flared, spherical, capped, cylindrical or any other that presents the characteristic elements of a lightning rod such as tip and shaft.
• the emitting unit of the test apparatus can be integrated inside or outside the lightning rod.
• said emitter unit comprises a housing connected to the part of the lightning rod that is grounded. Said housing has a first opening for the emission of the RF signal and a second opening for the cable connection of the frequency response measuring circuit in the emitting unit and the lightning rod priming device.
• connection of the housing of the emitting unit with the lightning rod may comprise an adaptation piece and orientation of the housing.
• This procedure comprises a series of steps that begin with an activation of the control and processing element.
• a lightning rod priming device is tested by the emitting unit. Said testing is carried out every time a certain time interval t1 is exceeded or, in the event that a stop in the supply is detected by the supply means of the sending unit.
• this emitter unit is normally in a state of rest for a certain time t2, with t2 being less than t1.
• a send is made with the repeated data of the last test performed.
• the shipments of a certain test repeatedly are carried out every time t2 until time t1 is exceeded, in which a new test is carried out which is the one that begins to be sent from that moment repeatedly with each time t2 until exceed time t1 again.
• the receiving unit must be activated, receiving the data from the sending unit in a time less than or equal to t2. This activation is carried out every time a sending of data is carried out either from testing or repeated.
• the data received comprises at least one sample of the test result differentiating the state in which the lightning rod is found to be correct, short-circuited or with a frequency response and / or incorrect priming device voltage.
• other useful data can be added, such as the lightning rod reference or its characteristics.
• a timeout counter with a configurable time limit t3 can be activated. This time value t3 is greater than the value of time interval t2, so that if time t3 is exceeded without receiving any data frame, an error signal is generated, identifying it as the receiver is outside the emission range of the sending unit, without enough energy to send or degraded for some other reason.
• the time limit t3 determines the state in which the lightning rod is located, which can be correct, short-circuited or that your response in frequency and / or voltage of the priming device is not correct, and, on the other hand it may happen that the received signal does not is the correct one, which in this case allows to identify if there is an error in the reception of the data.
• the test apparatus has energy supply and storage means that do not present any limitation in terms of loading / unloading cycles, nor does it use toxic substances or chemical reactions to obtain the energy, thereby reducing the maintenance and waste treatment costs, although common feeding means such as batteries can be used, incurring the previously set inconveniences.
• the receiving unit is wireless, which eliminates the accessibility limitations of the operator or user that exist in the existing wired devices in the state of the art and, at the same time, the risks of exposed cables disappearing that present a greater possibility of deterioration in addition to suffering induced surges.
• a very effective test method is proposed as well as safe since a low voltage frequency analysis allows to identify the complete state of the PDC, since each element that is part of the lightning rod has a contribution to its frequency response. Furthermore, when performed in low voltage there is no problem associated with the safety of people or property.
• the combination of a frequency and a temporary test is allowed by analyzing the response to transients of the device, to offer a more exhaustive analysis if necessary.
• the possibility of electronically identifying each terminal allows a great simplification in the revision and maintenance work by the operators or users.
• This test apparatus does not have any electromechanical part, which also avoids possible noise due to the switching of the relays. In addition, it presents protection elements against surges for greater protection of the device.
• the proposed apparatus presents a data storage memory, as well as the possibility of extracting them to a computer or any other data processing device, for the analysis thereof. They can also be displayed on the screen of the receiving unit itself.
• Another advantage that it presents is that when displaying the results it is not limited to saying that there is an error, but that it discriminates between the possible causes of it, determining in what situation the lightning rod is.
• This device in turn minimizes energy consumption by reducing the number of tests performed.
• the state of rest in which the sending unit is maintained and that the tests are carried out every certain time greater than the time of rest the reception of a signal is obtained every end of a state of rest, which verifies that the The device works, but a new test is not performed until a certain time when it is considered necessary. This reduces consumption and takes maximum care of the components that are part of the test apparatus and the priming device.
• This test device is valid for any lightning rod with a priming device, regardless of whether this device is a passive or active electric or electronic priming circuit, a piezoelectric or with a special profile. Any lightning rod that has a floating element is susceptible to being tested by this system.
• this device is equally valid for lightning rods with electronic priming circuit active as passive.
• This procedure allows to distinguish between the possible states in which the lightning rod can be found, reducing the operating time of the operator or user, because if there is an error it will have determined what the reason is and therefore it can be corrected more quickly.
• Figure 1. Shows a flow chart of the operation procedure of the sending unit.
• Figure 2. Shows a flow chart of the operation procedure of the receiving unit.
• Figure 3. Shows a block diagram of the electronic circuits of the sending unit.
• Figure 4. Shows a block diagram of the electronic circuits of the receiving unit.
• Figure 5. Shows a perspective view of a emitter unit located outside the lightning rod, for a first preferred embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 6. Shows a plan view of a receiving unit for a first and second preferred embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 7.- Shows a front view of a emitter unit located inside the lightning rod, for a second preferred embodiment of the invention.
• the lightning rod test apparatus 1 with the priming device proposed herein is formed by a transmitter unit 2 configured to be installed in a lightning rod 1 and, a receiving unit 3.
• the emitting unit 2 as can be seen in Figure 3, comprises feeding means 4, which in this first preferred embodiment of the invention are formed by a solar panel and, storage means 5 of the energy obtained by the same, that they fulfill the condition of not presenting limit in the number of loading / unloading cycles, nor requiring waste treatment, both of which are part of the feeding block A.
• a second measuring block B formed by a measuring circuit 6 of the frequency response of the lightning rod and an A / D converter 7 of this response before being processed and, a third emission block C comprising a modulating circuit 8 that It receives the signal, modulates it and sends it through a broadcast antenna 9.
• the sending unit 2 in turn comprises a control and processing element 10.1 for the activation of test module 44 and the processing of the resulting digitized frequency response.
• Said control and processing element 10.1 is programmed to activate the test repeatedly after a certain period of time t1 elapses, which in this first preferred embodiment of the invention is 24 hours.
• control and processing element 10.1 activates the sending of the test result each time a new one is made after a time t1 has elapsed, and activates the repeated sending of this same result every time t2 at which the idle state ends.
• the test apparatus comprises an individual identification system of each lightning rod, so that when the control and processing element 10.1 sends the test result, it also activates the sending of the identification from the equipment to the receiving unit. In the case of repeated sending of the result of the previous test, the identification of the equipment to which these data correspond is sent simultaneously.
• Both t1 and t2, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, are configurable by software.
• the transmitter unit 2 has a protection element 11 against overvoltages.
• the receiving unit 3 is wireless and, comprising identification means 19 of the different states of the lightning rod, an internal memory that allows to store the data of the tests that are being carried out and an external connector to it, which will allow the extraction of the data of said tests to a device for processing them.
• the receiving unit as can be seen in Figure 6, has a button 12 to be able to display said previous test data in it.
• the receiving unit 3 is formed by a block power supply D having said power supply and storage means 13, a power switch 14 of the receiving unit 3, an optional DC / DC converter 15 and an automatic disconnection circuit 16 for the case in which the unit takes time excessive without being turned off manually by the official.
• It also has a reception block E formed by an antenna 17 integrated for the reception of the data and a demodulation element 18 thereof.
• a display block F formed by the identification means 19 of the different states of the lightning rod 1 which in this first embodiment of the invention are formed by light pilots 19.1 type led and, a display screen 19.2 of the result and optionally the terminal identification.
• the receiving unit 3 comprises a control and processing element 10.2 that interrelates these actuation blocks D, E, F.
• This device fulfills the condition of being able to withstand at least 3 pulses of 100 kA wavelength of 10/350 ⁇ amplitude, as well as the UNE21186: 2011 standard in all its points.
• an additional test is performed which evaluates the temporal response of the circuit against each pulse or set of pulses, obtaining the response of the circuit after a configurable value time.
• the lightning rod 1 has a housing-like configuration in which the priming device, not shown in the Figures, is disposed with the corresponding tip 46 and the corresponding axis 45.
• the emitting unit 2 comprises a housing 20 connected to the lightning rod 1, in the part thereof that is connected to ground 45, in order to avoid dangerous potential differences and shield the equipment.
• the housing 20 of this transmitter unit 2 has a first opening for the signal emission and a second opening for the connection via cable 21 of the measuring circuit 6 of the equivalent frequency response of the priming device, existing in the transmitter unit 2, with the lightning rod priming device 1.
• connection of the emitter unit 2 with the lightning rod 1 has an adaptation piece 22 and orientation of the housing 20.
• the housing 20 it is possible It allows the housing 20 to be positioned so that the solar panel is oriented towards the desired position, preferably the one with the highest average exposure to sunlight throughout the year.
• the lightning rod can be seen for a second embodiment of the invention in which the testing device for lightning rod with priming device is similar to that described for the first embodiment of the invention, but in which the installation Lightning rod comprises the transmitter unit of the device integrated inside the lightning rod housing.
• the lightning rod 1 also has a housing-like body inside which the priming device, not shown, with the corresponding tip 46 and the corresponding axis 45, with the particularity that the emitter unit 2 is integrated inside the body of the lightning rod 1.
• the housing 20 described above is not necessary.
• this test procedure consists of the following steps:
• activation 23 of the control and processing element (10.1) is performed first.
• a test 24 of the lightning rod priming device 1 is performed every determined time interval t1 which in this preferred embodiment of the invention is 24 hours.
• the data obtained from the test are sent together with the identification data of the lightning rod, wirelessly to the receiving unit 3.
• the sending unit 2 enters the idle state 26 for a certain time t2, configurable according to the needs or conditions and, which in this embodiment of the invention is 90 seconds, which complies with the condition of being less than the value of t1.
• the next step occurs once a time interval t2 of 90 seconds has elapsed, and therefore the sending unit ends its idle period.
• the control and processing element performs an analysis 27 on whether a time period t1 of 24 hours has elapsed. If not, sending 28 of the same data resulting from the previous test performed, every t2 time of 90 seconds, is repeated until a t1 time of 24 hours elapses.
• control and processing element (10.1) analyzes whether the time After this, it is greater than t1 which in this case is 24 hours, and the result is positive, it activates the test module 44 for performing a new test 29 of the lightning rod priming device 1.
• the activation of the realization 29 of a new test is also carried out if the existence of a stop in the supply means of the sending unit is detected.
• Figure 2 shows the operating procedure of the receiving unit 3. This process begins with the activation 30 of the receiving unit 3 each time a test data is sent.
• the receiving unit 3 is waiting to receive a data frame that is compatible with the communication standard used.
• a timeout counter 31 is activated, with a determined time limit t3 which in this preferred embodiment of the invention is 2 minutes, which complies with being greater than the idle time t2 of 90 seconds
• This counter will allow the receiving unit 3 to check if a data frame has been received within the maximum transmission / reception time configured in both devices.
• timeout 32 is exceeded. If the analysis shows that timeout 32.1 has been exceeded, without obtaining data, the sending unit 3 determines that there is an error 40 due to that is outside the range of the sending equipment or that the transmitter is malfunctioning and shows this result 41 to the operator or user, ending the procedure 42, so that the operator or user can repair the problem.
• the receiver continues waiting for the data frame and analyzes whether it receives it or not 33. If the data is not received 33.2 the wait continues.
• a compatible data frame 33.1 arrives at receiver 3 before the waiting time is exceeded, it checks 34 if said data is in accordance with the possible test results.
• the sending unit determines that there is an error 40 because the data received does not match the possible test results and shows this result 41 to the operator or user, ending the process 42 so that the operator or User can repair the problem.
• the error is distinguished because the receiver is not within the range of the transmitter 32.1 or if the error is due to a reception of erroneous data 34.2.
• the receiving unit 3 analyzes whether the lightning rod 1 works correctly 35. If the result is indeed affirmative 35.1, said result 38 is shown to the operator or user and stores result 39, returning to the beginning 43 of the procedure.
• the result determines that the state of the lightning rod is not correct 35.2, it is analyzed if there is a short circuit 36.
• the result 38 is shown at Operator or user and the same 39 is stored, starting the process 43 again, but if the result obtained is that there is no short circuit 36.2, it will be analyzed if what happens is that the frequency response of the priming device is not correct 37.
• this result 38 is shown to the operator or user, and the result 39 is stored again starting the process 43, while if that is not the problem, the existence of an error is determined 40 and the result 41 is shown to the operator or user completing the process 42 to correct the existing error.
• the storage 38 of the results is carried out in the internal memory of the receiving unit to be able to display them again on the results screen 19.2 or to extract them to an external data processing device, such as a computer.
• the test apparatus also offers the possibility of storing the results obtained in an internal memory for a later visualization of the same in the same receiving unit or to be able to download them through the external connector to a data processing device in which they can be performed much more complete studies of the results obtained from the priming device.
• this device differentiates between the different reasons why the test result may fail, which is much more efficient since the operator or user quickly knows where the problem is and can act immediately to remedy it. All this is also done with a small number of tests, which reduces the consumption of the test apparatus in addition if the wear of the elements involved in the test is also reduced.
• the installation of lightning rods with this test device allows the option that the emitting unit is inside or outside the lightning rod housing, depending on the specific characteristics of each case.
• the testing procedure for lightning rods with this type of device and installation is completely autonomous and allows the testing device to be able to distinguish the different states in which the priming device of a certain lightning rod is.
• the emitter also sends the reference of the lightning conductor to which it is testing, allowing a unique identification of the lightning rod, preventing confusion between the different lightning rods.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Elimination Of Static Electricity (AREA)
• Testing Electric Properties And Detecting Electric Faults (AREA)
• Testing Relating To Insulation (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50114937

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2013
  • 2013-05-30 ES ES201330792A patent/ES2418204B2/es active Active
• 2014
  • 2014-05-29 PT PT147392047T patent/PT3024103T/pt unknown
  • 2014-05-29 PL PL14739204T patent/PL3024103T3/pl unknown
  • 2014-05-29 EP EP14739204.7A patent/EP3024103B1/de active Active
  • 2014-05-29 WO PCT/ES2014/070439 patent/WO2014191605A1/es active Application Filing
  • 2014-05-29 CN CN201480042322.0A patent/CN105684251B/zh active Active
  • 2014-05-29 ES ES14739204.7T patent/ES2668993T3/es active Active

Patent Citations (3)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events